Mixed Media

I think that it’s useful for Astros fans to get info from sources other than the Chron or the team’s announcers. For instance, I have a subscription to MLB Game Day Audio, so I can often listen to the visiting team’s radio broadcast.

Which I did yesterday.

Now, you know my feelings on Minute Maid Park. I hate the place. And I enjoyed this little statement from one of Oakland radio guys: “The only thing that has more advertising than this ballpark is a NASCAR driver.”

When you’re stadium’s being compared to NASCAR, you know it’s ugly. And tacky. And I’ve got to confess that it’s nice to know that others feel the same way that I do.

But on with the game.

The Astros lost yesterday. Yeah, I know, big frigging surprise. This loss was a painful loss. Not only did the team lose 6-5 in 11 innings, but the team’s now 5-8 for this month. But wait, it gets worse. The team lost another game in the standings to the Brewers, and the team’s now is sole possession of fifth place, with the last place Reds quickly gaining.

I’m not done.

Jason Jennings only managed to make it through four innings, and Richard Justice is reporting that he’s injured yet again. That’s not the bad injury, though. Adam Everett and Carlos Lee collided on a play in left field, fracturing Everett’s right fibula. Everett’s now out from four to eight weeks.

There was an amazing moment in this game: Trever Miller came in with the bases loaded in the top of the 6th inning, and got the strike out. That’s right. Trever Miller. And Phil Garner continued to mismanage his bench, and was stuck, at one point, with tonight’s starting pitcher, Wandy Rodriguez, serving as a pinch runner.

Just how much lower can the Astros go? Well, tonight, the Astros open a three-game series at Minute Maid with the Seattle Mariners -- this might be a chance to find out how low the team can go.

Wandy Rodriguez gets the start tonight against Felix Hernandez. – John Royal